2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in New York
[Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services](/majors/education/student-counseling/counselor-education-school-counseling-and-guidance-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 31 schools to find the best return on investment for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in New York
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services in New York. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $59,968 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $13,303. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $45,604 early in their careers. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $69,652. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $12,157. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $41,465. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Mercy College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,880. Students borrow a median of $28,304 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $61,432. Set against $28,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Suny College At Oswego landed the #6 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,825, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $25,163 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $53,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
Suny College At Brockport placed #7 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,752, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $24,757 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. Set against $24,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #8 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $21,530 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $41,000. Set against $21,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Canisius College placed #9 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Set in the city of Buffalo, Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,200. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Canisius College generally make around $42,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Niagara University earned the #10 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Niagara University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,345. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $26,208 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $51,918. Set against $26,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo placed #11 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $52,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Alfred University landed the #12 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Alfred University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Alfred. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,138. Students borrow a median of $25,706 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Alfred University generally make around $66,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
New York Institute Of Technology came in at #13 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. New York Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Old Westbury. Students from in state pay about $46,560 in tuition and fees. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $25,435 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of New York Institute Of Technology earn a median of $60,429 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,435 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
The Sage Colleges ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the city of Troy, The Sage Colleges is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,164. Students borrow a median of $26,702 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $48,304. That is a strong return on a $26,702 median debt. The Sage Colleges admits about 53% of applicants.
Long Island University C W Post Campus came in at #15 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,432. Students borrow a median of $25,211 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Long Island University C W Post Campus generally make around $52,164. That is a strong return on a $25,211 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Manhattan College earned the #16 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of Riverdale, Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,400. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $25,968 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Manhattan College earn a median of $63,062 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
St Johns University New York landed the #17 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Set in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,529. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $25,521. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $58,574. That is a strong return on a $25,521 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Bonaventure University landed the #18 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Saint Bonaventure University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Bonaventure. Students from in state pay about $41,735 in tuition and fees. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $25,917 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Saint Bonaventure University earn a median of $49,838 early in their careers. Set against $25,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester landed the #19 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $67,080 in tuition and fees. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $21,517 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. Set against $21,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
New York University landed the #20 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $57,236. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Hofstra University earned the #21 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $57,660 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,848 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Hofstra University generally make around $55,705. That is a strong return on a $24,848 median debt. Hofstra University admits about 68% of applicants.
Syracuse University earned the #22 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $26,130 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,130 median debt. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
Fordham University earned the #23 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,470. Students borrow a median of $25,643 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $59,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fordham University admits about 59% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
